Eric Adams Bows Out of NYC Mayoral Race
Is this another Chapter in
the Ghosting of Black Political Power?
By Kamau Austin, Co-publisher of the Black News Scoop
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced he will not seek re-election, marking a dramatic turn in the city’s political landscape. While Adams cited fundraising difficulties, relentless media speculation, and the fallout from a now-dismissed federal corruption case, many observers see this moment as part of a larger, troubling pattern: the erosion of Black political power in America’s highest offices.
There seems to be a pattern emerging that could be construed as a playbook. Black political leaders of prominence — from Marilyn Mosby in Baltimore to Attorney General Letitia James in New York, from Fani Willis in Atlanta to economist Lisa Cook on the Federal Reserve — have all faced legal, political, or media challenges that severely undercut their ability to lead. These challenges, often amplified by mainstream legacy outlets, echo an earlier era when Mayor David Dinkins, New York’s first Black mayor, was relentlessly attacked in the press, shaping negative public perception that ultimately derailed his career.
Critics argue that while Black leaders are aggressively pursued over questionable or relatively minor allegations — from property purchases to personal relationships — others, including our President with more than 35 legal judgments, continue to thrive politically. The disparity raises urgent questions about double standards in both media coverage and legal scrutiny.
In Adams’ case, despite the dismissal of federal charges, the stigma lingered. Combined with hostile coverage from outlets such as the New York Post and Fox News, the public narrative shifted decisively against him. The result was political isolation, dwindling donor support, and, ultimately, his withdrawal from the race.
